We are a group of parents who provide a safe cooridor for our children to go to and from school. We also police nuisance problems in our neighborhood and report them to the proper authorities. During Teacher Appreciation Week, starting May 5, 2009, we will be honoring our teachers for the great job that they do with our children.
This page is for announcements that would be specifically relevant to parents with children in schools in Philadelphia. If adding to, or editing, this page, please use posting formats.. The discussion tab of this page is not generally used or checked. If you have an issue for discussion, please see the links under "Discussion" to the left of this page.
District
Change in School Calendar: Because of the closure of schools this year due to inclement weather, the district is adding two additional days to the current school calendar. The addition of Monday, June 22nd and Tuesday, June 23rd will be made to make up for lost instructional time for students. Tuesday, May 19th, will remain as a professional development day with only staff in attendance. The last day for students will therefore be Tuesday, June 23rd. By adding these days for instruction, the academic calendar for this school year will meet the Pennsylvania State requirement of 180 days of instruction for students. Wednesday, June 24th will now be a professional development day for staff and June 25th will be a organizational day as well as the last day for staff. Submitted by Cecelia Thompson (jcohen 5/1)
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! Please note that the Office of Parent, Family, Community Engagement, and Faith-Based Partnerships is now responsible for the School Reform Commission's Speaker's list. Please call us at 215-400-4180; by 4:30 p.m. on the day before the SRC meeting at which you'd like to speak. Ackerman to triage District's worst performing schools. Ackerman plans to shutdown 30-35 of the city's worst performing schools. She plans on reviving the district by creating new "renaissance schools." Full article here. (znichols, 2/23/09)
New Phone Number for School Reform Commission Speaker Registration. Effective immediately, the new registration phone number to speak at the School Reform Commission (SRC) meetings is: 215.400.4180. Speakers must register by 4:30 PM on the day prior to the meeting. The School Reform Commission meets the second and third Wednesday of each month at 2 PM. SRC meetings are held in the auditorium at 440 N. Broad St.(Tellis 4/7/09)
School District to see Stimulus Money. At least $138 million is slated to be given to the District with between $45 and $50 million as Title I funding for low-income families. More Here (znichols, 2/21/09)
State and Federal Legislation and Policy
Department of Education Information Related to the Economic Recovery Act of 2009 An effort to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. Secretary Arne Duncan has released guidance on the ARRA, including State Fiscal Stabilization Funds, Title 1, and IDEA. Please click here for more information. Submitted by Quibila Divine (4/2 lvargas)
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Will provide significant funding to schools that have high concentration of students from families that live in poverty in order to help improve teaching and learning conditions for students most at risk of failing to meet state academic achievement standards. For more information click this LINKSubmitted by Quibila Divine. (3/31/ tellis)
The Education Commission of the States (ECS)Three new policy briefs have been released promoting academic success in high school, specifically examining 9th grade transitional year, parental involvement, and teacher preparation. More info on the study's results
New test may be required for students to graduate high schoolPlease be aware that within a short time Pennsylvania's high school students may be required to pass high school Graduation Competency Assessments (GCA), unless they receive special education support services, to graduate from high school with a regular diploma. To read more about this issue and what can be done to help click hereSubmitted by: Venard Johnson (4/1 ramosfredd)
Family Activities
This page is for free family activities that are specifically relevant to parents with children in schools in Philadelphia. Activities do not necessarily have to be educational, but they must be open to all families.
Ongoing and Non-Date Specific
There are some free programs at the Franklin Institute. Free coupons for IMAX and other activities. More information to come.. Submitted by Lindell Walker (jcohen 5/9)
There is an amazing learning opportunity on the Franklin Institute website!
There is a live streaming of a hawk nest on a ledge of the Institute where you can view the babies (2 of 3 eggs hatched April 16 ) and the parents bringing food (dead rodents) to feed them. It's great viewing. The website is **http://www2.fi.edu/hawknest.php** Click on the hawk nest! submitted Ambra Hook- Director, High School Instructional Programs ( esmith 5/2/09)
Pressure Cooker: upcoming documentary about youth cooking in Philly
Three seniors at Philadelphia's Frankford High School find an unlikely champion in the kitchen of Wilma Stephenson. Against the backdrop of the row homes of working-class Philadelphia, she has helped countless students reach the top culinary schools in the country. You can see it during the next few weekends as part of the Philadelphia film festival, and it will open June 19th at the Ritz. ( Tellis 5/1)
Let's Get Cookin' - Free Online Games and Free Time Management Games http://www.yeadonlibrary.org/index.php (610) 623-4090. Students have to follow a recipe, get the correct groceries from the "kitchen", measure and cut the correct amount of the foods and follow directions to "cook" the foods. Points are given based on how well the steps are followed. CLICK HERE for website. (Tellis 5/1)
FREE BOWLING
May - September: Kids can bowl for free all summer long. Just go to this website and follow the instructions and kids can get up to 2 free games a day. Also, if parents want to bowl there are great family packages available. This is brought to you by Creative Kids Club. (Tellis 4/30)
Fireman's Hall Museum
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. FREE! 147 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Nestled in the heart of Colonial Philadelphia, in a restored 1886-1902 firehouse, is a fascinating collection of memorabilia showing the significance of firefighting throughout Philadelphia's history. Call 215-923-1438 for more info. Submitted By Zella Gordon
Exciting Children's Art Gallery www.onceuponagallery.com 7904 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-7pm Now though October 4, 2015
(215) 242-2723 Children and their parents can and take home oroginal children's picture book paintings, hand-painted mirrors, shelves, table sets, and other exquisite decor.
Below is the link to the 2009-2010 Academic School Year Calendar.
Note: There are NO HALF DAYS for Professional Development. Aside from the standard holidays, the only 2 Professional Development days are:
11/3/09 (Election Day)
5/11/2010 (Primary Election Day).
The calendar has been approved by the SRC (School Reform Commission).
Please Touch Museum $2 admission!First Wednesday of eachmonth. $2 admission at Please Touch from 5-7 pm. Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, (formerly North Concourse Drive), Philadelphia, PA 19131, (215) 581-3181, • 5:30 p.m. theater show in the Please Touch Playhouse. • Your favorite puppets throughout the museum. • Fun activities in the Elaine. Wideman-Vaughn Program Room. • Story times throughout the museum galleries. Submitted by: Cecelia Thompson (3/10 ramosfredd)
PARENT & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER SCHEDULE FOR WORKSHOPS 440 North Broad Street (First floor) Philadelphia, PA 19130 215-400-PCRC (7272) Please RSVP for workshops MAY 2009
Tai Chi, Bellydancing, and other relaxation workshops
Tuesdays from noon until 2:30 p.m. by Mama Gail and friends.
Basic Computer Classes
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 pm to 2pm by Jay Cohen of Communities and Schools. Topics to be covered include: using the mouse and keyboard; what to look for when buying a computer, internet access, basic web browsing, printing and saving information.
Basic Mandarin for School Administrators Wednesday evenings from 4:40 pm to 5:40 pm by Cong Wang and Tamala Montgomery. Mandarin language services are in strong demand at the district. Chinese is second only to Spanish in translation services for parents. Chinese speakers are the third largest demographic among ELLs. Mandarin is understood by many immigrant communities from Greater China (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong) as well as significant numbers ethnic Chinese from Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.)
Free Tutoring from University of Pennsylvania
Deadline May 2009
Free Tutoring for studentes K-12th Grade is being offered at the University of Pennsylvania (34th & Spruce Streets). The one-on-one tutoring takes place Wednesdays 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm in Hall A room 202 (brown building). Interested? Feel free to go directly to the site next Wednesday & ask for James Marasco, at which time, child can register & begin to receive FREE TUTORING from a University of Pennsylvania student. Transportation/Tokens provided. Submitted by: Virginia.D.Smith@Phila.Gov (2/26 ramosfredd)
SPECIFIC DATES May 20th, 5:30 pm FREE GED Class Orientation.
Classes start on 5/27 and will continue each week on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Meehan Conference Room.
May 21st, 10:30 am The Role that Parents Play in Special Education
Philadelphia HUNE. Emphasizes the importance of parents’ participation in their child’s educational programming, and how the laws influence their participation.
May 23rd, 10:00 am Zulu Nation Citywide Youth Movement
Educational workshop about college preparation, completing the FAFSA, obtaining working papers for students aged 14-18, advanced placement, and preparing for the college admissions tests.
May 28th, 5:00 pm Parents Helping Students to Achieve Success
Dr. Stephen Jones. This interactive session will show parents how they can help their children succeed in school by thinking about different learning opportunities that exist in their homes and in the community. Dr. Jones will also offer an innovative discussion about careers that students should consider. submitted by ronney davis per jay cohen
Welcome Harrity HSA
We are a group of parents who provide a safe cooridor for our children to go to and from school. We also police nuisance problems in our neighborhood and report them to the proper authorities. During Teacher Appreciation Week, starting May 5, 2009, we will be honoring our teachers for the great job that they do with our children.
Harrity Concerned Citizens Websitewww.philasd.org/
www.phillyparents.org
Policy & News
This page is for announcements that would be specifically relevant to parents with children in schools in Philadelphia. If adding to, or editing, this page, please use posting formats.. The discussion tab of this page is not generally used or checked. If you have an issue for discussion, please see the links under "Discussion" to the left of this page.District
State and Federal Legislation and Policy
Family Activities
This page is for free family activities that are specifically relevant to parents with children in schools in Philadelphia. Activities do not necessarily have to be educational, but they must be open to all families.Ongoing and Non-Date Specific
There are some free programs at the Franklin Institute. Free coupons for IMAX and other activities. More information to come.. Submitted by Lindell Walker (jcohen 5/9)
There is an amazing learning opportunity on the Franklin Institute website!
There is a live streaming of a hawk nest on a ledge of the Institute where you can view the babies (2 of 3 eggs hatched April 16 ) and the parents bringing food (dead rodents) to feed them. It's great viewing. The website is **http://www2.fi.edu/hawknest.php** Click on the hawk nest! submitted Ambra Hook- Director, High School Instructional Programs ( esmith 5/2/09)
Pressure Cooker: upcoming documentary about youth cooking in Philly
Three seniors at Philadelphia's Frankford High School find an unlikely champion in the kitchen of Wilma Stephenson. Against the backdrop of the row homes of working-class Philadelphia, she has helped countless students reach the top culinary schools in the country. You can see it during the next few weekends as part of the Philadelphia film festival, and it will open June 19th at the Ritz. ( Tellis 5/1)
Let's Get Cookin' - Free Online Games and Free Time Management Games
http://www.yeadonlibrary.org/index.php (610) 623-4090. Students have to follow a recipe, get the correct groceries from the "kitchen", measure and cut the correct amount of the foods and follow directions to "cook" the foods. Points are given based on how well the steps are followed. CLICK HERE for website. (Tellis 5/1)
FREE BOWLING
May - September: Kids can bowl for free all summer long. Just go to this website and follow the instructions and kids can get up to 2 free games a day. Also, if parents want to bowl there are great family packages available. This is brought to you by Creative Kids Club. (Tellis 4/30)
Fireman's Hall Museum
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. FREE! 147 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Nestled in the heart of Colonial Philadelphia, in a restored 1886-1902 firehouse, is a fascinating collection of memorabilia showing the significance of firefighting throughout Philadelphia's history. Call 215-923-1438 for more info. Submitted By Zella Gordon
Exciting Children's Art Gallery
www.onceuponagallery.com 7904 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-7pm Now though October 4, 2015
(215) 242-2723 Children and their parents can and take home oroginal children's picture book paintings, hand-painted mirrors, shelves, table sets, and other exquisite decor.
Below is the link to the 2009-2010 Academic School Year Calendar.
Note: There are NO HALF DAYS for Professional Development. Aside from the standard holidays, the only 2 Professional Development days are:
11/3/09 (Election Day)
5/11/2010 (Primary Election Day).
The calendar has been approved by the SRC (School Reform Commission).
http://www.philasd.org/calendar/2009_2010/index.html
Ongoing Opportunities
Please Touch Museum $2 admission! First Wednesday of each month. $2 admission at Please Touch from 5-7 pm. Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, (formerly North Concourse Drive), Philadelphia, PA 19131, (215) 581-3181, • 5:30 p.m. theater show in the Please Touch Playhouse. • Your favorite puppets throughout the museum. • Fun activities in the Elaine. Wideman-Vaughn Program Room. • Story times throughout the museum galleries. Submitted by: Cecelia Thompson (3/10 ramosfredd)
PARENT & COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
SCHEDULE FOR WORKSHOPS
440 North Broad Street
(First floor)
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-400-PCRC (7272)
Please RSVP for workshops
MAY 2009
Tai Chi, Bellydancing, and other relaxation workshops
Tuesdays from noon until 2:30 p.m. by Mama Gail and friends.
Basic Computer Classes
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 pm to 2pm by Jay Cohen of Communities and Schools. Topics to be covered include: using the mouse and keyboard; what to look for when buying a computer, internet access, basic web browsing, printing and saving information.
Basic Mandarin for School Administrators
Wednesday evenings from 4:40 pm to 5:40 pm by Cong Wang and Tamala Montgomery. Mandarin language services are in strong demand at the district. Chinese is second only to Spanish in translation services for parents. Chinese speakers are the third largest demographic among ELLs. Mandarin is understood by many immigrant communities from Greater China (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong) as well as significant numbers ethnic Chinese from Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.)
Free Tutoring from University of Pennsylvania
Deadline May 2009
Free Tutoring for studentes K-12th Grade is being offered at the University of Pennsylvania (34th & Spruce Streets). The one-on-one tutoring takes place Wednesdays 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm in Hall A room 202 (brown building). Interested? Feel free to go directly to the site next Wednesday & ask for James Marasco, at which time, child can register & begin to receive FREE TUTORING from a University of Pennsylvania student. Transportation/Tokens provided. Submitted by: Virginia.D.Smith@Phila.Gov (2/26 ramosfredd)
SPECIFIC DATES
May 20th, 5:30 pm FREE GED Class Orientation.
Classes start on 5/27 and will continue each week on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Meehan Conference Room.
May 21st, 10:30 am The Role that Parents Play in Special Education
Philadelphia HUNE. Emphasizes the importance of parents’ participation in their child’s educational programming, and how the laws influence their participation.
May 23rd, 10:00 am Zulu Nation Citywide Youth Movement
Educational workshop about college preparation, completing the FAFSA, obtaining working papers for students aged 14-18, advanced placement, and preparing for the college admissions tests.
May 28th, 5:00 pm Parents Helping Students to Achieve Success
Dr. Stephen Jones. This interactive session will show parents how they can help their children succeed in school by thinking about different learning opportunities that exist in their homes and in the community. Dr. Jones will also offer an innovative discussion about careers that students should consider. submitted by ronney davis per jay cohen